The 3D study: Improving whole person care

This is a multi-centre study trying to help general practices to improve how they treat patients with multiple long term health problems. Existing treatment is based on guidelines for each separate condition meaning that patients often have to attend multiple appointments for each disease which can be repetitive, inconvenient and inefficient. They see different nurses and doctors who may give conflicting advice. These patients frequently get depressed and they also sometimes complain that no-one treats them as a ‘whole person’ or takes their views into account. The study aim is to develop, optimise and test an intervention strategy to improve the care of patients with multiple long term conditions in general practice.